• NPA securitization program not linked to rising bad loans: PBOC

  Useful Info |

  China's central bank said on Saturday that the non-performing asset (NPA) securitization program has nothing to do with the country's rising bad loan ratio, and is an institutional move aimed at developing a market for bad assets management in China.

• Facebook Back in China?!

  Issues to Talk About |

  Yes! Kind of. If you have access to Android, download an app, and don't mind if it doesn't work all the time. So basically just like having a VPN, really. Things change so that things can stay the same.

• How to Get a Taxi in Shanghai

  Useful Info |

  The subtitle for this article was going to be "why won't the taxi stop when the light is on and you're clearly waving your hand like there's a particularly stubborn bee on your finger."

• 11 Most Annoying Types of WeChat Friends

  People & Stories |

  How many types of these annoying WeChat friends do you know? How many describe you?

• 6 Tricks For Better Sleep

  Useful Info |

  In today's world of 24/7 internet and work that never quite stays at work, it's tougher than ever to get a solid night of sleep. For the sake of your health and happiness, you not only need enough sleep; you need good sleep.

• New Pollution PSA Exposes the Hairy Side of Prolonged Exposure to a High AQI

  Useful Info |

  In what’s oddly the most creative pollution-related public service announcement we’ve seen in some time, here is a video (English-subtitled versions on Youku and on Facebook) depicting how Chinese people might change through years of continuous exposure to pollution.

• Yellow Air Alert!: Does Your Favorite F&B Establishment Filter Its Air?

  Useful Info |

  It's pretty grey outside, and looks like it's going to stay that way. Some people appear never to be brought down by the air, but if you've got youngsters or pre-existing medical conditions, staying safe is really important.

• A Look at Outdoor Gamers, Beijing-Style

  People & Stories |

  Our apartment complex just experienced a minor face-lift. A new courtyard recreation area was built this past fall equipped with a covered “game-playing” zone for adults, an essential to all residential blocks. Yet, each time I bring my son outdoors to play during the daytime hours, the table is empty.

• Juice By Melissa Opens Second Store, First Shunyi Location on March 19

  Useful Info |

  Shunyi residents feeling their pants getting tighter in the wake of Dunkin Donuts opening at the end of February will be relieved to hear that Pinnacle Plaza is about to offer them a healthy alternative.

• Film Star Holds 'Fashion Week' for Rural Kids in Guangxi

  People & Stories |

  Chinese actress Jiang Yiyan posted a series of photos on her microblog site Sina Weibo on March 9, showing the crazy clothing creations of kids she has been volunteering with in the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.